Unable to catch fire in the first half of the season, the Dragons have trudged along for 11 games and find themselves with a 5-6 record as they enter a two-week period that could make or break their season.

Starting two days ago with Rockland, the Dragons have a group of six or maybe seven games that will test the depth of their pitching staff to see if they are worthy of post-season play.{sidebar id=4}

Senior Brett Bartlett took the mound  last week for Duxbury, as they traveled to Middleboro and absorbed a 5-3 loss to the Sachems.

The Dragons grabbed a quick 1-0 first-inning lead when Phil and Rich Sciretta doubled. But the hosts answered right back when a one-out single brought home the tying run in the bottom half of the inning.{sidebar id=1}

Middleboro would manufacture a run in the bottom of the second when Bartlett hit a batter, who moved to second on a stolen base. A fielder’s choice moved him to third, where he scored on an infield single for a 2-1 lead.

The game remained close until the bottom of the sixth when the Sachems erupted for a trio of runs after two were out.  Two singles, a fielder’s choice, and a walk loaded the bases against Bartlett. But the Duxbury senior bore down and fanned the next batter.

A passed ball brought home the third Middleboro run, but the killer turned out to be a single by the ninth batter in the order, who stroked an 0-2 pitch for a pair of runs for a 5-1 lead.

Duxbury did manage to rally in the seventh, but it was too little too late, as back-to-back doubles by Colin Woods and Tyler Genereux, along with a single by Bartlett brought home a pair of runs in the loss.

Bartlett allowed just six hits and struck out three while taking the loss.

The Dragons had a much easier time when they crushed Pembroke, 12-1.

After starter Jeff Blout walked two Pembroke batters in the first inning, a two-out single brought home a run for a 1-0 Titan lead.

Jeff Blout

It was short-lived, as Duxbury exploded for five runs in the bottom of the inning and added seven more runs over the next four innings to put the game away.

Phil Sciretta led the hit parade with four hits, while Bartlett added three. Jack Garrity, Sean Cross, Tyler Genereux, and Shane Dibona chipped in with two hits apiece. Blout had a terrific outing, going seven full innings and striking out eight while allowing just four hits.{sidebar id=6}